Personally, I prefer warmer climates and warmer activities than ice hotels and snow sculptures. I have had my share with freezing temperatures, snow and ice having spent most of my life in Western Massachusetts. Every chance available the beach is the place to head in the summer months with my favorite beach being Hampton Beach, NH. The salt air and the crashing waves always gave me such peace within. The warm sand and bright sunny skies warmed me up heartily. Unfortunately the event I am about to relate did not come into being until after I left Massachusetts to go south.
Years ago after I had moved 1,300 miles south, an article appeared regarding the sand sculpting event held at Hampton Beach something I had never heard of. Was totally familiar with the snow and ice sculptures which I related in my previous Blog. The kids and I would always try our hand at building a fancy sand castle when visiting the beach. The event of sand sculpting was not a tiny little sand castle to be washed away by the waves. They were elaborate. They were huge. They were created by true artists during the Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic. 
These events began June 15, 2000 as an effort to gather together some of the best creative talent which would come from far and wide. The event was such a hit that 17 years later it is going strong with the next scheduled event being June 10, 2017.
Crowds gather along the beach from day one to watch the artists begin their creative work. Can not think of a better way to spend a day than watch these creative juices conquering the sand. There is always a story behind their creation and why they chose the theme they did. Perhaps a story they heard long ago or just an flash of inspiration they receive. Regardless, each sculpture has a unique origin.
Creation of these massive figures is not for the faint of heart. A lot of shoveling and tamping is required to build an approximately 10-ton base on which to build. This can take up to 7 hours. There is a 23 hour limit to building.
Then comes the shaping and smoothing, carving and embellishing with various tools giving texture and dimension to the piece. When completed, a spray of school glue and water is used to spray over the sculpture protecting it from the wind and erosion ever present on the beachfront.
What would drive someone to go through such a grueling ordeal. One would assume their love and ability in the arts and/or a $15,000.00 prize for the winner.
Which ever it is, such events have influenced a whole class of artisans.
Hampton Beach is not the only beach upon which sculpting occurs. Try out Revere Beach in the Boston area. Check out Scottsdale Arizona! Hop on over to San Diego, CA. Not just on the beaches but out in the desert…wow talent knows no boundary. Each site takes on the air of its own community with local flare. Better yet, take off on an adventure to Australia and see what they have to offer for sculptures! Last but not least, tutorials exist to teach you how to build your own. Your first personal lesson in sand sculpting. Maybe the next birthday party, child or adult, could be a sand sculpting event at the beach. Give it a try next time you hit the beach or desert for that matter….most of all enjoy and have fun!
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
If at first you do not succeed, try try again. You can only progress and get better. You talent will blossom as a rose.